BEACHGOERS were shocked when they came across an animal carcass on Prestwick beach earlier this week.
The carcass is believed to be the remnants of a basking shark, and is around eight metres in length.
It was photographed by Alex McTurk, who informed the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme about the discovery.
He said: "I have spoken to someone at the marine stranding people who have said they believe it’s a basking shark.
"Based on my own research I believe it’s probably been dead prior to being washed up rather than being stranded.
"I counted the vertebrae and using some maths have approximated the size to about eight metres, so a fairly big one.
"The head and tail seem to be gone so I imagine some animals like seals have had a feast prior to it being washed up."
Earlier this year, a dead basking shark was discovered at Maidens, with social media footage appearing to show the shark caught in rope.
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